Knife-coating machine



March 31, 1931. L. 8. CASE 1,799,002

KNIFE COATING MACHI NE Filed Oct. 21, 1927 3 SheetsSheet 1 I0; f y??? vi March 31, 1931. L. B. CASE 1,799,002

KNIFE COATING MACHINE Filed Oct. 21, 192"? a Sheets-Sheet 2 Maw/Z 021 March 31, 1931. 5; 1,799,002

KNIFE cdATING MACHINE Filed Oct. 21, 1927 3 Sheets-$heet 3 J 21/15 Cbxsa. s /:25 756- 71 Patented Mar. 31, 1931 UNITED STATES LYNN 3. CASE, OF HIGHLAND PARK, NEW JERSEY,

01' NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY PORATION,

PATENT OFFICE ASSIGNOR TO JOHN WALDRON COR- KNIFE-COATING MACHINE Application filed October 21, 1927. Serial No. 227,762.

This invention relates to knife coating machines, the principle of which is well known and involves means for supporting the goods to be coated and a straight edge or knife adjusted to an angle of inclination, relative to the plane of the surface to be coated, which is found to best spread the coating material, then by flowing the coating material over the surface of the goods 1 1 in advance of the knife and subsequently passing the goods thereunder the coating material is spread over the surface of the goods.

The usual method of backing up or supporting the goods is to install a blade at each side of and parallel to the smoothing blade and contacting with the under-side of the goods and producing tension on the goods to maintain the same in a taut condition over and between the supporting blades and under the smoothing blade.

The machine forming the subject of my invention is adapted for coating heavy sheet goods, such as board stock, etc., which could not be handled by the usual type of machine, above described.

The principal object of my invention is to construct a machine which will be capable of coating heavy sheet goods, comprising novel means for supporting or backing up the goods under the smoothing knife, and novel means of moving the sheet under the smoothing knife longitudinally of the ma chine.

Other novel features and the detail construction of my improved coating machine will be fully described hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying. drawings, ofwhich:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation;

Fig.2 is a transverse sectional elevation on the line 22, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation on the line 3-3, Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevation, taken on theline 4-4, Fig. 2. a

The machine comprises side frames 1, 1, connected by transversely extending tie and spacing rods 2, 2. On each of the si 6 frames is suitably mounted a pair of substantially U-shaped guide members 4 and 5 and an overhanging support bracket 6.

Slidably mounted in a guideway 7 formed in each of the guide members 4 is a journal block 8, adapted to rotatably support a transversely extending shaft 9 on which is secured a backing up or supporting roll 10.

Extending across each of the guideways 7, and suit. ly secured to the guide member 4, is a pedestal 11 having a segmental portion 12 at its upper end.

Pivo lly attached, at 13, to each of the pedestals 11 is an arm 14, on which is slidably mounted a supporting block 15. Each supporting block 15 is provided with a laterally extending U-shaped lug 16, adapted to support the ends of a bar 17 on which is secured a coating knife 20. The knife bar 17 is held in and against rotation with respect to the lugs 16 by means of pins or bolts 18 which pass through the legs of the U-shaped lugs 16. Between the lugs 16, 16 the knife bar 17 is of a square cross section, the por- *tions resting in the lugs 16, 16 being round.

The supporting blocks 15 are adjustable longitudinally of the arms 14, being rovided with grooves 21, 21 adapted to receive guide flanges 22, 22 formed on the said arms 14. Each block 15 is provided with a lug 23 in which is rotatably mounted one end of a screw 25 which is anchored against longitudinal movement relative to the lug 23' by collars 24, 24 secured to the screw 25. Each of the screws 25 is adapted to a threaded aperture formed in 9. lug 26 extending laterally from the respective arms 14 and a lock nut 27 is provided for locking the screw 25 in its adjusted position. On the upper end of each screw 25 is secured a bevel gear 28 adapted to cooperate with a bevel gear 29 secured to a transversely extending adjusting shaft 30, which is rotatably'mounted in heads 31, 31 suitably mounted on the upper ends of the screws 25, 25. A hand wheel 32 is secured to the shaft 30, by means of which the knife 20 may be adjusted vertically with respect to the supporting roll 10. p v

Angular adjustment of the knife 20 may be effected by taming the arms 14, 14 around their pivots 13, locking plates 33, 33 being provided on the arms 14, 14 which may be forced against, and held in looking engagement with, the segments 12 of the pedestals 11, by means of bolts or screws 34.

The backing roll 10 is yieldablysupported by means of springs 35', 35 which extend be tween, and are seated in cup shaped cavities formed in the journal blocks 8, 8 and compression blocks 36, 36 adjustably mounted in the guideways 7 of the guide'members 4. Each compression block 36 is provided with an axially located threaded aperture adapted to receive the threaded end 37 of an adjusting rod 38, which is rotatably mounted inthe V respective frame member 1, being permitted rotation but held against axial movement therein by Ineans'of a collar 39 secured thereto intermediate the under side of the upper bar of the frame member 1 and a bridge element 40 secured to said frame member. A hand wheel 41 is secured to each adjusting rod 38; Upward movement of the roll 10 is limited by a lug 42 on each of the journal blocks 8 versely extending shaft 46, on which is secured a lower feed or crowding roll and in the upper ournal blocks 45, 45 is rotatably mounted a shaft 47 having an upper feed or crowding roll 50a secured thereto.

The upper journal blocks 45,. 45 are each provided with an arch 48 under which is located a collar 49 secured to the lower end of an adjusting screw 51, which is in threaded engagement with a cross head 52, slidably mounted on vertically extending guide studs 53, 53 secured in each of the guide members 5. Encircling each of the studs 53, between the cross head 52 and an abutment nut 54 on the respective stud 53, is a compression supported by the brackets 6, 6 is a hollow suction box which may be operatively con- -nected to any form of pump or other means for drawing a partial vacuum in the said box 60, such means not beingv shown: A per forated apron or conveyor belt extends around the said suction box 60 and around va pair ofsupporting rolls 62 and 63 which are mounted on shafts 64 and 65, rotatably mounted-in bearings 66 and 67 secured to the brackets 6, 6. 7

The bearings 66, 66 are rigidly secured to the respective brackets 6, 6, while the bearings 67 are adjustably and slidably mounted on the said brackets, adjusting screws 68, 68 being provided by means of which the perforated apron 70 may be maintained in a taut condition with the under side of the upper run of said apron in contact with the upper edges of the suction box 60.

A rigid table 71 extends between the backing roll 10 and the apron supporting roll 62, and a second table 72 extends between the lower crowding roll 50 and the opposite side of the backing roll 10.

On one end of the shaft 46 is secured a driving pulley 7 5 and a sprocket wheel 76, which is connected by a sprocket chain 77 with a sprocket wheel 78 on the corresponding end of the shaft 64, by means of which the apron 70 is driven. On the opposite end of the shaft 46 is a sprocket wheel 79, connected by means of a sprocket chain 80 with a sprocket wheel 81 secured to the end of the shaft 9, by means of which the backing roll 10 is driven. On the same end of the shaft 46 is a gear wheel 82 which cooperates with a gear wheel 83 on the shaft 47, by means of which the crowding rolls 50 and 50a are driven in unison.

The crowding rolls 50, 50a and the backing roll 10 I prefer to provide with a covering of rubber or similar material to provide a gripping surface on the rolls and to make this surface slightly resilient to conform to any slight irregularities in the surfaces of the goods being, coated, without crushing the goods in any way.

In operation, the heavy sheets of goods are fed between the crowding rolls 50, 50a, the springs 55, 55 which control the upper roll 50a yielding sufficiently to permit the said roll to accommodate itself to the thickness of the goods, and still retain a firm grip on the goods between the said crowding rolls. As the forward end of the sheet passes from the crowding rolls over the table 72 the coating material is permitted to flow over the upper surface of the goods, which is then advanced to and under the lower edge of the smoothing knife 20. The knife 20 spreads the coating material evenly over said surface in a layer of uniform thickness, and should the sheet have any irregularities on its surface or in its thickness the backing roll 10 willbe permitted to yield in accordance therewith and thereby insure a uniform coating of the goods:

Up to this point in the operation, the sheet has been advanced by the crowding rolls 50 and 50a. The forwardedge of the sheet now passes over the table- 71. and onto the perforated apron 70, thence over the suction box '60, the rear edge of the sheet approaching the front of the crowding rolls 50, 50a. As the forward edge of the sheet passes over the suction box 60 the partial vacuum therein created causes the sheet to adhere to the apron 70, which tends to pull the sheet in its advancement under the smoothing knife 20, and finally, when the rear edge of the sheet passes from between the crowding rolls 50,

50a, the apron 70 alone effects advancement of the sheet under said, knife, eventually delivering the sheet from the machine at the 7 tween said knife and said backing roll.

3. In a knife coating machine adapted for coating relatively stiff sheet goods, the combination of a smoothing knife; a yieldably and rotatably mounted backing roll having a rigid sheet-supporting surface substantially parallel to and underlying said knife; means for advancing goods to be coated between said knife and said backing roll, comprising means at one side of'said knife for pushing the goods thereunder and means at the opposite side of said knife for pulling the goods.

4. In a knife coating machine adapted for coating relatively stiff sheet goods, the combination of a smoothingknife located above said sheet of goods; a yieldably and rotatably mounted backing roll having a rigid sheetsupporting surface substantially parallel to and underlying said knife, for supporting said sheet thereunder; and-means for advancing the said sheet of goods between said knife and said backing roll.

5. In a knife coating machine adapted for coating relatively st'ifi' sheet goods, the combination of a smoothing knife located above said sheet of goods; a yieldably and rotatably mounted backing roll having a rigid sheetsupporting surface substantially parallel to and underlying said knife, for supporting said sheet thereunder; a pair of crowding rolls at one side of said knife for pushing the sheet thereunder; and means at the opposite side of said knife for pulling the sheet under the knife.

6. In a knife coating machine adapted for coating relatively stiff sheet goods, the com-- bination of a smoothing knife located above said sheet of goods; a yieldably and rotatably mounted backing roll having a rigid shect-supportin surface substantially parallel to and under ying said knife, for supporting said sheet thereunder; means at one side of said knife for pushing the sheet between said knife and the backing roll; a movin apron at the opposite side of said knife; an means for causing the sheet to adhere to said apron for pulling the sheet between said knife and said backing roll.

7. In a knife coating machine adapted for coating relatively stiff sheet goods, the combination of a smoothing knife located above said sheet of goods; a yieldably and rotatably mounted backing roll having a rigid sheetsupporting surface substantially parallel to and underlying said knife, for supporting said sheet thereunder; means at one side of said knife for pushing the sheet between said knife and the backing roll; a movable perforated apron at the opposite side of said knife; and a suction box underlying said apron and adapted to cause the sheet to adhere to said moving apron for pulling the sheet between the knife and the backing roll. 8. In a knife coatin machine adapted for coating relatively sti sheet goods, the combination of a smoothing knife located above said sheet of goods; a yieldably and rotatably mounted backing roll having a rigid sheetsupporting surface substantially parallel to and underlying said knife, for supporting said sheet thereunder; a pair of crowding rolls at one side of said knife for pushing the sheet thereunder; a movable erforated apron at the opposite side of said nife; and a suction box underlying said apron and adapted to cause the sheet to adhere to said moving apron for pulling the sheet between the knife and the backing roll.

9. In a knife coating machine adapted for coating relatively stiff sheet goods, the combination of a smoothing knife located above said sheet of goods; a backing roll having a rigid sheet-supporting surface substantially parallel to and underlying said knife, for supporting said sheet thereunder; a pair of crowding rolls at one side of said knife for pushing the sheet thereunder; a movable perforated apron at the opposite side of said knife; and a suction box underlying said apron and adapted to cause the sheet to adhere to said moving apron for pulling the sheet between the knife and the backing roll.

10. In a knife coating machine adapted for coating relativelystiif sheet goods, the combination of a frame, a smoothing blade horlzontally disposed and relatively fixed in said frame, means at one side of and in a plane substantially coincident with that of the lower ed e of said blade for pushing a sheet under said blade, and means at the opposite side of and in a plane substantially coincident with that of the lower edge of the blade for pullin the sheet under the blade.

11. n a knife coating machine adapted for coating relatively stiff sheet goods, the

combination of a framefa smoothing blade horizontally disposed and relatively fixed in said frame, means at one side of and in a plane substantially coincident with that of the lower edge of said blade for pushing a sheet under said blade, means at the opposite side of and in a plane substantially coincident with that of the lower edge of the blade for .pulling the sheet under the blade, a backing roll underlying and substantially parallel with the lower edge of said blade, and means for pressing the said backing roll toward the said blade.

12. In a knife coating machine adapted for coating relatively stiff sheet goods, the com bination of a frame, a smoothing blade horizontally disposed and relatively fixed in said frame, a backing roll having a rigid sheetsupporting surfaceunderlying and substantially parallel with the lower edge of said blade, a shaft supporting said backing roll, a journal at each end of said roll slidably mountedin said frame, and a spring under each journal tending to move said backing r011 toward said knife.

13. In a knife coating machine adapted for coating relatively stiff sheet goods, the combination of a frame, a smoothing blade horizontally disposed and relatively fixed in said frame, a backing roll having a rigid sheet-supporting surface underlying and substantially parallel with the lower edge of said blade, a shaft supporting said backing roll, a journal at each end of said roll slidably mounted in said frame, a spring under each journal tending to move said backing roll toward said knife, and means for regulating the pressure exerted by said springs.

- 14. In a knife coating machine adapted for coating relatively stiif sheet goods, the combination of a frame, a smoothing blade horizontally disposed and relatively fixed in said frame, a'backing roll having a rigid sheet-supporting surface underlying and substantially parallel with the lower edge of said blade, a shaft supporting said backing roll, a journal at each end of said roll slidably mounted in said frame, a block slidably mounted in the frame under each journal, 9. spring interposed between each journal and itsunderlying block, and means for raising and lowering the block to regulate the pressure exerted by said springs.

LYNN B. CASE. 

